Infant and child gum and teeth cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a gum and teeth cleaning apparatus intended for use by an infant or young child. Specifically, said apparatus comprises an elongated handle portion, a neck portion, and head portion. Said head portion further comprises a plurality of bristles positioned in multiple directions surrounding the head portion.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an infant or child's teeth and/or gums.

2. Summary of Invention

The present invention is a toothbrush intended to facilitate in the teeth and/or gum cleaning of an infant or young child.

It is widely recognized by dental professionals and pediatricians that brushing a child's teeth early in life is important in maintaining dental hygiene and forming good habits. While most children do not visit a dentist until their third year, some form of dental hygiene is encouraged well before that.

Prior art toothbrushes for children tend to closely resemble adult toothbrushes, only on a smaller scale, and incorporate whimsical decorative elements intended to attract children. Such prior art devices typically include a head portion, comprising soft bristles on one side of the head portion and a flat, plastic surface, on the other side of the head portion. Prior art brushes further include a handle portion, for controlling the brush portion.

Such prior art devices are unsatisfactory for both adults and children to use for differing reasons. Prior art devices are unsatisfactory for children because children often do not have the dexterity to effectively use such toothbrushes. The brush portions of prior art children's toothbrushes are too small for children to easily control. As a result, children may not actually be contacting the bristles of the toothbrush with his/her teeth when attempting to brush.

Parents and guardians may find prior art children's toothbrushes unsatisfactory because it is difficult for them to determine if the bristle elements of the toothbrush are contacting the child's teeth. Full cooperation with the child is needed in order to be sure that the bristles of prior art toothbrushes are brushing the teeth of a child. A child has to fully open his/her mouth so that the parent can observe the orientation of the bristles within the child's mouth to make certain that the bristles are making contact with the child's teeth. Towards the end of a day, when children are typically tired and less prone to cooperate, it can be nearly impossible to be sure that the child's teeth are actually being cleaned properly.

In view of the above shortcomings it is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush to facilitate a parent or guardian in cleaning a child's teeth and gums.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that facilitates the ability of a child to effectively brush his or her own teeth and gums.

The present invention teaches a novel toothbrush intended for use by children or infants. The head portion of the present invention is comprised of bristles that completely surround the head portion of the toothbrush. The placement of bristles in multiple directions within the head portion ensures that the bristles contact a child's teeth when positioned in the targeted area of the child's mouth and brushed. The brush handle may comprise rubberized elements to enhance the user's grip of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, planar view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the region indicated as “A-A” on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a longitudinal, planar view of the present invention. The brush 10 comprises of an elongated handle 1, a neck portion 2, a head portion 3, and a plurality of bristles 4 surrounding the head portion. The head portion of the brush may possess a cylindrical configuration, with the bristles placed along the circumference of the cylinder. Alternatively, the head portion may possess a triangular or quadrilateral configuration.

The placement of bristles surrounding the head portion allows the user ease in contacting a child's teeth and gums with the bristles. Children need only to place the head portion in the general area of the mouth and the bristles are likely to come in contact with teeth and gums.

Similarly, a parent is able to contact a child's teeth from various angles and positions, because bristles surround the head portion. Teeth are likely to come in contact with bristles regardless of the position of the handle. Minimal cooperation is needed from the child because the parent does not need to observe the toothbrush within the child's mouth to ensure that teeth are making contact with bristles. The elongated handle allows a child and parent to easily reach molars with the bristles.

The handle, neck and head portion may be constructed from the same material throughout, such as plastic, metal or wood. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 1 and head portion 3 are constructed from rigid, injection-molded plastic. Because dental professionals recommend discarding toothbrushes after 3-6 months of use, the present invention should be constructed from relatively inexpensive materials.

The handle portion of the present invention is elongated and may comprise an area with a widened circumference 5, intended to improve a child's hold and control of the handle. The handle may expand and form a widened area followed by a tapering 11. Rubber material or soft plastic 6 may be placed on the handle portion to improve the user's grip. The rubber may possess raised protuberances 7 to further increase friction between the user's hand and the handle.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of the present invention as indicated in FIG. 1 as “A-A”. The head portion comprises a cylindrical configuration 12. No matter what orientation the head portion is placed, bristles are present. The bristles surround the entire head portion of the present invention, improving the likelihood of contact between the bristles and a child's teeth or gums. The bristles are constructed from soft, pliable plastic well known in the art.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross section of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the alternative embodiment of the present invention the neck portion of the apparatus may be constructed from a flexible material 8, such as an aluminum-based metal, forming a flexible neck portion. The metal may be further covered with a rubber or non-rigid plastic 9 and joined to the head and handle portion. The flexible material within the neck portion enables the neck to be bent in different positions, altering the angle of the head. The angle of the head portion may be adjusted to accommodate the needs of the user.

Referring to FIG. 3, one advantage of the flexible neck portion 9 of the present invention may be desired to increase comfort for the child or parent controlling the apparatus. For example, height differences between a parent and a child may result in a parent assuming an awkward position when trying to reach a specific area of the child's mouth. The flexible neck feature of the alternative embodiment addresses this situation by allowing the parent to reposition the head 3 in order to access a hard to reach area and improve ergonomic control.

In summary, the present invention is a novel, inventive toothbrush, intended for use by infants and small children that address many of the shortcomings in the art. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, while still falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A gum and teeth cleaning apparatus for an infant or young child comprising: an elongated handle portion; a neck portion; a head portion; and said head portion further comprising a plurality of bristles positioned in multiple directions surrounding the head portion.
 2. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising rubber elements attached to said handle portion.
 3. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a widened area within said handle portion.
 4. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flexible neck portion.
 5. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a head portion having a cylindrical configuration.
 6. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a head portion having a triangular configuration.
 7. Said cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a head portion having a quadrilateral configuration. 